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Cats - The Musical [1998]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than US$2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two-and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Cats is a pop-cultural phenomenon that has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, resulting in more than two billion dollars in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided it until now.

This video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium. Most of the cast--assembled from London, Amsterdam and New York productions--are competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr Mistoffelees and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the covers of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, which is not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors, John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler, Amazon.com


Fantastic musical
Review date: 2008-04-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have had this on video for years, and have watched it many many times, it's one of those musicals you can never get bored of.
I had a dream to see this live, and my wish finaly came true last weekend and i got to see it live at the Theatre.
What can i say but Wow! I didn't think it would be as good as the video, but i was wrong, the whole cast were fantastic, and really out done themselves.
I recommend this musical to anyone,especially those people who love Cats.

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Reviews


CATS RULES!!!
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

Cats is the most terrific musical in the whole entire world!!! I have watched it so many times. When I went to see it in real life I was sitting at the edge of my seat all the way through! In the movie there are many super characters, the costumes are amazing, the stage setting is exciting and the story line is thrilling.
Leela Saengprathum, 9 years old, Bangkok, Thailand

Mognificent!!
Review date: 2008-04-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

I got the chance a few days ago to go and see the theatre production of Cats at the Leeds Grand Theatre when the UK Tour came to town and although we were up on the balcony perched like two tweeting birds, I can safely say that there is nothing else [and I have seen Phantom in London] that comes anywhere near the production of Cats played live.

So when we returned home, we bought the DVD with the special features included to get a behind the scenes glimpse at the production. Watch Munkustrap morph from actor to cat and see what I mean!

What memories. Seeing once again [and it was so close to the live show] the dance, the movement, the balletic interpretation and the quality of sound made us both sit there with big cheshire cat grins on our faces, remembering the night out all over again.

This is a fantastic filmed version of the live show, allowing you a close up, front row seat as you watch and listen to all those songs. For us, who have had numerous moggies over the last twenty years or so, it allows us to see something of all of them, now happy in the heavyside layer, and makes for some great memory inducing moments.

This is definitely worth the money. If you have the chance, go to see the show as well. The experience is worth every penny.

Truly mognificent!!!!

Absolutely magnificent
Review date: 2008-03-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

This was intended to be the definitive version of 'Cats', in in most respects it is. Admittedly it lacks the intimacy or 'buzz' of a live performance, but this is more than made up for by the close-ups (which allow you to see details you might otherwise have missed) and, most particularly, what is probably the best cast this musical has ever enjoyed.

It would probably be unfair to single out individual members of the cast, as they're all first rate, but I'm going to anyway! Elaine Paige cuts a terrifically tragic figure as Grizabella and - at the other end of the scale - John Partridge makes for a gloriously over-the-top Rum Tum Tugger. Veerle Casteleyn is a charming Jemima (though dubbed with the beautiful purity of Helen Massey's singing). John Mills's Gus is thoroughly moving, whilst Rosemarie Ford's Bombalurina, together with Aeva May as Demeter, make a sexy and sensual pair. As for Drew Varley and Jo Gibb, I cannot praise their interpretation of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer highly enough - just perfect.

The main downsides are the cuts. The loss of 'Growltiger's Last Stand' is a terrible shame, but arguably worth it to have John Mills. As for the others, I particularly miss the cut verses from 'Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer', but since this is my favourite song, and stars my favourite characters, I must admit to being biased in this respect!

None of this, however, seriously detracts from what is overall a truly stunning film of this glorious musical.

My fave musical ever!
Review date: 2008-03-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

CATS - Is one of the best musicals I have ever had the chance to see. I originally recorded the film when it premiered on TV about 6-7 years ago, but I watched the video so much, it soon died, so I brought the DVD.

The magic, music, costumes and singing, is totally brilliant and well thought of. It certainly has helped me with my singing and confidence to sing in front of other people.

Well done Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Group for creating such a magical, phenomonal, musical.

Julia

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Michael Gruber
John Mills
Rosemarie Ford
Ken Page
Elaine Paige

Creators:
Elaine Paige (Primary Contributor)
John Mills (Primary Contributor)
Nicholas D. Knowland (Cinematographer)
Andrew Lloyd Webber (Producer)
Andy Picheta (Producer)
Gary Lucchesi (Producer)
T.S. Eliot (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 3259190203327
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2000-10-16
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Exempt
Region code: 2
Running time: 146 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998-10-27
Language: English (Original Language)

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